After some 13 Tacoma area schools shows unsafe levels of lead following water testing, Gov. Inslee has ordered a review of why a 2009 law requiring such testing was never funded and never enforced.

The measure, which was passed by the legislature, never received appropriations for money, and therefore, never been enforced by the Department of Health.

Inslee has ordered the Department of Health to present to legislature a plan that would bring about the required testing. It's expected to cost in the neighborhood of $5 million.

Unlike some districts, most of the Richland, Pasco and Kennewick schools utilize city water, and school officials are notified by city officials if any issues were to come up. One Pasco school, Edwin Markham Elementary, relies on well water, which district officials is currently being tested.

As a precaution, school district officials say they will test their water systems this summer. NO issues or unsafe levels of chemicals or other elements have been found in any of the Tri-City Schools.

The Tacoma district notified parents after two schools in 2015 showed unsafe levels of lead, but they went unfixed and unreported. After more testing, the district found 13 of it's 22 elementary schools had unsafe levels.

 

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